HOW YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THIS DIFFICULT WORLD – NOW & IN THE FUTURE

Posted by Allan Pacela

on Aug 09, 2013

How You Can Make a Difference In This Difficult World – Now & In The Future

Each of us had a different reason for joining Rotary, but it seems clear that we all want to "make a difference" in the world. We all want to be doing something meaningful, something which will help now, and also have a lasting effect – to last for our lifetime, or perhaps for even longer. Now, just how can we do that?

"No one can tell us what Rotary will be tomorrow, but one thing is certain: What Rotary will be tomorrow depends upon what we Rotarians do today." — Arch C. Klumph

The key answer is service – service in its many forms, whether working in a community event to raise funds for your community, participating in a Rotary grant to build a clean water system in another country, supporting your own club through club service, or simply making a donation of money. There are many paths of service. And, one of the most effective, and longest lasting path is through your Rotary International Foundation. What? Is this another call for money? Yes, money is needed. And, why? Because a donation to the RI Foundation Annual Fund comes back to the clubs and goes directly into service work and grants, thus – doing immediate good in the world! This one minute video shows examples of the many paths of service through the Rotary Foundation:

Doing Good: Intro: 1:28 min

Changing the World Through Annual Giving

Click here to read how Annual Giving can create Tax Deductions.Your annual contribution (of any size, small or large) to The Rotary Foundation means that you are implementing life-changing projects that empower youth, enhance health, promote peace, and advance communities locally and internationally. And, your annual gifts, when they total US$1,000, can be used to earn a Paul Harris Award for yourself, or one which you can use to acknowledge another worthy person.

What is the Paul Harris Society, and How Did it Begin?

As a Rotarian, you probably know that by contributing $US1,000 to the Foundation, you will be awarded a Paul Harris, or you may award a Paul Harris to someone else. There were some members doing that every year, so a new idea was created, the Paul Harris Society. In 1997, as governor of District 5340, Wayne Cusick recognized the value of promoting annual gifts of $US1,000 or more and created a district recognition program he called thePaul Harris Society. The idea took off and soon districts around the world were providing Paul Harris Society recognition and seeing their Annual Fund contributions grow. PDG Cusick continues to promote the Paul Harris Society as an important way to sustain the financial strength of The Rotary Foundation.

A Paul Harris Society member receives a "hanger" for their Paul Harris Fellow Pin with the initials PHS

In fact, in 2011-12, Paul Harris Society level gifts to the Annual Fund provided $US39 million of the $US111 million donated. The Paul Harris Society is so successful that in January 2013, the Foundation's Trustees adopted it as an official Rotary recognition program. Rotary depends upon individuals world-wide who donate to the Annual Fund and sustain the Foundation's valuable programs. Each contribution, no matter the size, helps Rotary make the world a better place.

Create an Endowment - A Gift That Keeps Giving

You can also create an endowment. Rotary's Endowment Fund (formerly known as the Permanent Fund) provides perpetual support for Rotary's programs by supplementing annual contributions. The financial principal amount of a gift to the Endowment Fund is never spent. A portion of the earnings is then used to support the work of the Foundation. You could name your own fund within the endowment, watch it develop into a source of support for your favorite programs, and know that your gift is making a difference in the world now and well into the future. While any amount can be placed in Rotary's Endowment Fund, the minimum amount to establish a fund in your name is $US25,000. The naming options increase depending upon the initial gift size. No matter what the size of your fund, it will provide valuable support in perpetuity! Imagine your annual gift supporting your district's local and international activities, forever; you can act now to make that happen.

Past President Sakuji Tanaka, center, president of RI for 2012-13 and a member of the Rotary Club of Yashio, Japan, walks with Rotary Peace Fellows at the International Christian University (ICU) in Tokyo.

ICU offers a Peace Studies major to students interested in studying peaceful resolutions to war, conflict, poverty and the suppression of human rights. After joining Rotary in 1975, Tanaka came to the realization that the purpose of living is to be of use to others. "I realized that by helping others, even in the simplest of ways, I could help to build peace," Tanaka said. His presidential theme was Peace through Service. Tanaka established a $US500,000 endowment that supports four Rotary Peace Fellowships. He and his wife, Kyoko, are Paul Harris Fellows, Benefactors of the Permanent Fund, and Major Donors.

What are "Benefactors" and the "Bequest Society"

If you have provided for a gift to The Rotary Foundation in your estate plan, please let Rotary International know so that the Foundation can express its appreciation. When you share that you are one of a growing number of others providing future gifts to the Foundation, you just may encourage someone else to follow in your footsteps! Rotary will confer Benefactor status on those who commit any amount in their estate plan to the Foundation's Endowment Fund. Benefactors receive a special insignia to wear with a Rotary pin and a personalized certificate.

And, those who commit to a gift of US$10,000 or more in their estate plan, receive membership in the Bequest Society, which provides special updates, invitations and other materials, including an exclusive pin and engraved crystal. You can join the many generous supporters who have made commitments to the future of Rotary through the Endowment Fund by planning your Rotary legacy.

Annual Club Banner RecognitionsRotary clubs in which all dues-paying members are Paul Harris Fellows can be certified as a 100 Percent Paul Harris Fellow Club and are eligible to receive a one-time special recognition banner from The Rotary Foundation.

The following recognitions are awarded annually at the conclusion of the Rotary year and are based on active dues-paying membership as of 30 June. The eligible clubs will be determined by The Rotary Foundation and the appropriate recognitions sent to the current district governor for presentation.

100% Rotary Foundation Sustaining Member Club

This recognition honours clubs in which every dues-paying member personally contributes US$100 or more to the Annual Fund during the Rotary year.

Every Rotarian, Every Year Club

This recognition is awarded to clubs that achieve a minimum US$100 per capita from active dues-paying members and 100 percent participation with every active member contributing some amount to the during the Rotary year.

For more information, contact your eClub of One World Foundation Chair, Allan Pacela atapacelaOneWorld@pmc.us.

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